Combination vacuum cleaner storage container and hassock

ABSTRACT

A rectangular, boxlike hassock having a swing-down hinged door at one end and provided with three interior end-to-end chambers, one of which is adapted to receive therein for storage a vacuum cleaner of the elongated tank type and the others of which are adapted to receive for storage the hose and cleaning implements of the vacuum cleaner, is described. Foot-controlled, springenergized release mechanism is provided in the vacuum tank chamber for automatically opening the door and discharging the vacuum cleaner down a ramp provided by the opened door when the vacuum cleaner is released.

United States Patent [72] inventor Daniel H. Clark 2,042,387 5/1936 Cobb 15/323X 2550 N.E. 200th St.. Miami, Fla. 33160 2,266,268 12/1941 Robinson 312/206 [2]] Appl. No. 888,302 2,544,405 3/1951 Weir 15/257 [22] Filed Dec. 29,1969 2,603,816 7/1952 Mac Farland 15/257X [45] Patented June 1971 Primary ExaminerDaniel Blum AttorneyErnest H. Schmidt [54] COMBINATION VACUUM CLEANER STORAGE CONTAINER AND I-IASSOCK 6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 312/311, ABSTRACT: A rectangular boxlike hassock having a swing 15/257 297/462 312/237 312/250 312/315 down hinged door at one end and provided with three interior [5 I] Illl. CI A476 3/16 end to end/ chambers, one of which is adapted to receive [50] Fleld of Search 15/257, therein for storage a vacuum cleaner f the elongated tank 323; 297/192 462; 312/250 3111237 type and the others of which are adapted to receive for storage (Inqured) the hose and cleaning implements of the vacuum cleaner, is described. Foot-controlled, spring-energized release [56} References Cited mechanism is provided in the vacuum tank chamber for auto- UNITED STATES PATENTS matically opening the door and discharging the vacuum Des.l 17,837 11/1939 Tuttle 15/323UX cleaner down a ramp provided by the opened door when the 1,447,145 2/1923 Morell 297/192X vacuum cleaner is released.

g "Q R" 7 3 f/ l 6 /5 j l 3? f/ 25 5 Q \Y\\\\\\(\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\X\\\\\\\\\ I v a2 I 1, {v I l j i/ I i 4 I g n 99 ii 5;! W a 40 w -41. 2 \I\ \\\\\1\\\\ Y COMBINATION VACUUM CLEANER STORAGE CONTAINER AND HASSOCK This invention relates to vacuum cleaners and is directed particularly to a combination tank-type vacuum cleaner storage container and hassock.

Ordinarily, tank-type vacuum cleaners, their hoses and cleaning implements are stored in garages, utility room, clothes closets, broom closets and the like when not in use. Such storing not only occupies valuable space, especially in apartments, but also is unsightly and often inconvenient because of inaccessability for easy storage and removal.

It is, accordingly, the principal object of this invention to provide a hassock usable as having the appearance of an ordinary piece of furniture but which, at the same time, provides hidden compartments in which a tank-type vacuum cleaner and its hose and cleaning implements can be stored when not in use. Such a combination tank-type storage container and hassock not only provides the storage space without resort to closets, etc., but also keeps the vacuum cleaner handy within the room area where it is most often to be used.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a combination tank-type vacuum cleaner storage container and hassock of the character described wherein the end door, when swung down to open position, rests against the floor to provide a slightly inclined ramp along which the vacuum cleaner tank can ride in the inward and outward movements with respect to its storage chamber.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a combination storage container and hassock of the character described including spring-powered mechanism activated upon pushing the vacuum cleaner tank into its hassock storage chamber and operative, when released, to automatically open the closure door and eject the vacuumcleaner tank outwardly and down the ramp for ready use.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a release mechanism for ejecting the vacuum cleaner tank as described above, which can be foot operated from the outside of the hassock and which,at the same time, will be inconspicuous.

Yet another object is to provide a combination tank-type vacuum cleaner storage container and hassock which will be simple in construction, economical in cost, attractive in appearance, dependable and long wearing in use, and well suited to its use and purposes both as a storage container and article of furniture.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is an oblique view, as seen from above, ofa combination tank-type vacuum cleaner storage container and hassock embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is aview similar to that of FIG. 1, but with the front door open for discharge of a contained vacuum cleaner;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 4 is a partial horizontal cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows and illustrating mechanical details of the tank cleaner discharge mechanism.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, reference numeral designates, generally, a combination vacuum cleaner storage container and hassock embodying the invention, the same being in the general form of a rectangular box. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the combination vacuum cleaner storage container and hassock 10 comprises top and bottom container walls l1, l2, sidewalls I3 and 14, a fixed backwall l5, and a front wall 16 hinged along the lower edge to the front end of the bottom wall 12 as by piano hinge 17. The underside of the bottom wall 12 has secured thereto four longitudinally and transversely spaced rollers 18, (only two shown in FIG. 3), to facilitate moving the device along the floor. The outer surfaces of the top wall 11, the sidewalls 13, 14, and the rear and front walls 15, 16, respectively, are all upholstered such as with padding I9 and an outer covering 19a of decorative material such as vinyl imitation leather to give the overall appearance of a hassock or box seat.

A horizontal partition panel 21 divides the interior chamber of the boxlike structure into an upper chamber 22 and a comparatively large lower chamber which, in turn, is divided by a longitudinally extending vertical partition 23 into a left side front-to-back chamber 24 and a right side front-to-back chamber 25. The lower chamber 25 is of such size as to receive compactly fitted therein a tank-type vacuum cleaner unit C (see broken line representation thereof in FIGS. 2 and 3) of the type having wheels or skids allowing it to be pulled about along the floor in use. The upper chamber 22 is adapted to receive the vacuum cleaner hose, and the left-hand lower chamber 24 is adapted to receive vacuum cleaner implements, (not illustrated), for storage when not in use. 7

Magnetic latch means is provided for holding the front wall 16 in upwardly swung closed position, as illustrated in FIGS. I and 3. To this end, the magnet member 26 of a magnetic latch is fixed against the underside of the horizontal partition panel 21, being centrally mounted along the front edge thereof. The

magnetic keeper 27 of the latch is appropriately mounted on the inside face of the front wall 16 to engage for latching with the magnetic latch member 26 when said front wall or door is in its closed position. A pull knob 28 is secured against the outside of the outer wall or door 16 to facilitate manual unlatching and opening of the door whenever necessary.

Means is provided for automatically opening the hinged front wall or door 16 and discharging a contained tank-type vacuum cleaner C. To this end, a spring-powered discharge mechanism, indicated generally by reference numeral 29, is

provided, said mechanism comprising a pusher guide housing member 30 fixed against the inside bottom of the bottom container wall 12 near the inner end thereof, (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The pusher guide housing member 30 is formed with a pair of opposed, longitudinally extending slots 31, 32 which slidingly support a pusher member 33 for reciprocal motion therealong in the longitudinal direction of said container. A tension spring 34 secured at one end to a mounting stud 35 fixed to the bottom wall 12 forwardly of the pusher guide housing member and secured at its other end to the front of the pusher member 33 serves to yieldably urge pusher member 33 in the forward direction. Inwardly directed, opposed lugs 36, 37 atthe inner end of the pusher guide housing member 30 limit the forward movement of the spring-biased pusher member 33.

Latch means is provided for holding the spring-biased pusher member 33 in its rearwardmost position. To this end, a slide bolt 38 is slidably mounted in a housing member 39 fixed against the inside of the sidewall 14 and so located that the slide bolt 38 can engage with a sidewardly directed latch opening 40 provided in the pusher member 33. The pusher member latch mechanism further comprises an actuating plunger 41 extending through openings in the sidewall 14 and padding 19, but covered by the outer covering of decorative material 19a. The actuating mechanism within the housing member 39 is such that when the actuating plunger 41 is depressed the slide bolt 38 is withdrawn against the reactive force of a spring (not illustrated) normally holding said bolt in its extended position. Since the bolt mechanism is of the type commonly used for latching doors and the like, it is not further described herein. It will be understood, however, that when the actuating plunger 41 is depressed, the bolt 38 will be withdrawn from its latching position within the latch opening 40 to release the pusher member 33 for forward sliding motion under the urging of the tension spring 34. As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the pusher member 33 is formed with an upwardly extending abutment portion 42 adapted to be contacted by the inner end of a tank vacuum cleaner C when pushed into chamber 25, whereupon, as the vacuum cleaner is pushed fully within its chamber, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the pusher member 33 will have been moved to its rearwardmost position enabling the latch member 38 to engage in the latch opening 40 to maintain said pusher member 33 in its ready-for-release condition as illus trated in FIGS. 3 and 4. After the vacuum cleaner C and its hose and cleaning implements have been placed in their chambers, as described above, the front wall or door will be manually swung up from its lower position (the broker: line representation thereof as illustrated in FIG. 3), to its closed position. When it is desired to use the vacuum cleaner again it is only necessary to push in on the actuating plunger 41 through the outer covering 190 to withdraw the latch bolt 38 and thereby release the pusher member 33-. Release of the pusher member 33 moves it forwardly under the urging of spring 34, whereupon the vacuum cleaner tank C will be pushed forwardly, first to automatically abut an open the door 16, and then to be propeiled or ejected from its chamber down the ramp provided by the open door, for ready use.

While I have illustrated and described herein only one form in which my invention may conveniently be embodied in prac tice it is to be understood that this form is given by way of example only and not in a limiting sense. My invention, in brief, comprises all the embodiments and modifications coming with the scope and spirit ofthe following claims.

What I ciaim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent l. A combination storage container and hassock comprising, a boxlike container having a top and a bottom wall, a pair of opposed sidewalls, a rear wall and a front wall, said front wall being hinged along its lower edge to the forward edge of said bottom wall, a transversely extending end-to-end first partition wall within said container and defining upper and lower end-to-end chambers therein, a vertically extending end-toend second partition wall within said chamber and subdividing said lower chamber into left and right side end-to-end lower chambers, latch means for releasably securing said front wall in closed position with respect to said chambers, upholstery covering the outer surfaces of said top wall, said sidewalls, said front and said rear walls, one of said lower chambers being of such size as to receive for enclosure in end-to-end disposition a vacuum cleaner of the elongated tank type, said upper chamber being adapted to receive the air hose and the other of said lower chambers being adapted to receive the cleaning implements of said tank-type vacuum cleaner and roller means on the underside of said bottom wall to facilitate moving said container along the floor, said roller means elevating said container to a position slightly above its supporting floor, said front wail, when released and swung downward to fully open position, defining a downwardly and outwardly extending ramp for the passage of the tank-type vacuum cleaner in and out of its enclosure chamber.

2. A combination storage container and hassock as defined in claim 1, including manually operable spring-powered means for discharging a tank-type vacuum cleaner outwardly of its containing chamber and down said ramp.

3. A combination storage container and hassock as defined in claim 2, wherein said latch means comprises a magnetic latch releasabie upon pressure being applied against said front wall in the opening direction of said front wall, whereby said front wall will be automatically opened upon abutment therewith when said discharge means is operated.

4. A combination storage container and hassock as defined in claim 3, wherein said discharge means comprises a guide track within one of said lower chambers near the rear end thereof and extending in the front-to-back direction, a pusher member slidingly arranged in said guide track and constrained to frontto-back movement therealong, a tension spring acting between said container and said pusher member and operative to yieldingly urge said pusher member in its front end or forward direction, a mcond latch means for releasably retaining said pusher member in its rearward position, said pusher member comprising an abutment portion adapted to contact an end portion of a tank-type vacuum cleaner for propelling said vacuum cleaner forwardly upon release of said second latch means.

5. A combination storage container and hassock as defined in claim 4, said second latch means comprising a latch o ening in said pusher member, an actuating plunger mec anism withdrawably receivable in said latch opening and having an actuating plunger extending through an opening in one of said sidewalls for manual actuation.

6. A combination storage container and hassock as defined in claim 5, wherein said actuating plunger is covered at its outside by said upholstery to render it inconspicuous while at the same time permitting it to be actuated through said upholstery cover. 

1. A combination storage container and hassock comprising, a boxlike container having a top and a bottom wall, a pair of opposed sidewalls, a rear wall and a front wall, said front wall being hinged along its lower edge to the forward edge of said bottom wall, a transversely extending end-to-end first partition wall within said container and defining upper and lower end-toend chambers therein, a vertically extending end-to-end second partition wall within said chamber and subdividing said lower chamber into left and right side end-to-end lower chambers, latch means for releasably securing said front wall in closed position with respect to said chambers, upholstery covering the outer surfaces of said top wall, said sidewalls, said front and said rear walls, one of said lower chambers being of such size as to receive for enclosure in end-to-end disposition a vacuum cleaner of the elongated tank type, said upper chamber being adapted to receive the air hose and the other of said lower chambers being adapted to receive the cleaning implemeNts of said tank-type vacuum cleaner and roller means on the underside of said bottom wall to facilitate moving said container along the floor, said roller means elevating said container to a position slightly above its supporting floor, said front wall, when released and swung downward to fully open position, defining a downwardly and outwardly extending ramp for the passage of the tank-type vacuum cleaner in and out of its enclosure chamber.
 2. A combination storage container and hassock as defined in claim 1, including manually operable spring-powered means for discharging a tank-type vacuum cleaner outwardly of its containing chamber and down said ramp.
 3. A combination storage container and hassock as defined in claim 2, wherein said latch means comprises a magnetic latch releasable upon pressure being applied against said front wall in the opening direction of said front wall, whereby said front wall will be automatically opened upon abutment therewith when said discharge means is operated.
 4. A combination storage container and hassock as defined in claim 3, wherein said discharge means comprises a guide track within one of said lower chambers near the rear end thereof and extending in the front-to-back direction, a pusher member slidingly arranged in said guide track and constrained to front-to-back movement therealong, a tension spring acting between said container and said pusher member and operative to yieldingly urge said pusher member in its front end or forward direction, a second latch means for releasably retaining said pusher member in its rearward position, said pusher member comprising an abutment portion adapted to contact an end portion of a tank-type vacuum cleaner for propelling said vacuum cleaner forwardly upon release of said second latch means.
 5. A combination storage container and hassock as defined in claim 4, said second latch means comprising a latch opening in said pusher member, an actuating plunger mechanism withdrawably receivable in said latch opening and having an actuating plunger extending through an opening in one of said sidewalls for manual actuation.
 6. A combination storage container and hassock as defined in claim 5, wherein said actuating plunger is covered at its outside by said upholstery to render it inconspicuous while at the same time permitting it to be actuated through said upholstery cover. 